Sometimes ,they're just little things

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "So Soon Forgotten...or Never Understood ?":

I thought you were not going to post disparaging comments about your fellow councillors? Does Thompson not count?

Posted by Anonymous to Our Town and Its Business at 17 July 2014 14:26
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Councillor Thompson certainly counts.  It seems though we may have different ideas about what is disparaging to a Councillor.

My reference was to failure  to observed rules of order. I hardly call that disparaging. Any Councilor can find themselves in that situation . We are not robots.  That's.  why we have  rules of order and a Presiding Member whose role it is to maintain the rules.

If the Presiding Member  has no experience things are quite likely to go off the rails fast.

The only way to learn is by practice . It's  not easy when the  Chair himself has little sense of 
pitfalls.

When a Councillor is criticized,chances are  a reaction will trigger.  Before  you know it mayhem erupts.

We've seen eruptions in  foreign parliaments with  members


throwing things at each other and lunging over desks to get at each other's throats.

We've not seen the like in Canada   But one memorable occasion the Honorable Sheila Copps went over the desks  to get at  The Honorable John  Crosby for a denigrating remark against her.

I myself have been accused ofunruly behavior    . it was an attempt at humor that fell flat.

I'm not sure what's worse  unruly conduct  or failed humor..

It led to my finest performance when I apologized  and my friend Ron Wallace of forty-five years graciously accepted . The Council chamber  was full  that night and we received. a hearty round of applause which made the whole episode worthwhile.

Being a member of a Council  that works well together is a very satisfying experience. It doesn't mean everyone  has to think the same.

It does mean everyone has to be able to express true thoughts and convictions without being afraid of offending someone else's sensitivities.

If it happens inadvertently there's a remedy.

It really is a skill worth learning. The Chair and Councillors  with experience. Are usual models.

As has been noted, this Council has been short on both.The rules are not well understood.

I find myself against the glass age barrier. They  see my lips moving but don't hear what I'm saying.

The blog is my second chance to make a difference.?.....poking with a pointy stick.

When Councillors read what the community  reads and  the community reaction I hope for better understanding.

We have a common purpose is serve the interest of the people who sent us.

Working at odds doesn't cut it.

For a majority to  agree on a position before coming to the table  is not my idea  of  a cohesive unit.

 Outside of council  there's a  common belief that's how politics work.

It is not .  Things do not get accomplished .

There's nothing in government like the satisfaction of  working together and moving the municipality forward.

When something is right ....it's easy to recognize.. Takinggratuitous

I kept hoping. .....